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Sen. Mike Lee, (R-Utah), on the future of the political movement and whether it impacted presidential election.
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I am does it may order Republicans is like getting -- throttle because what it comes to the Tea Party to Mayo a great deal -- -- their majority announced comes to mind.
They're kinda given the staff and right now closing amount of a lot of key budget negotiations -- this whole revenue issue.
Some Tea Party years are aghast at that and say that the party.
Shouldn't blink when it comes to taxes but a lot of -- going on right now intact a lot of caving to -- some more conservative members.
Of the Tea Party talent going on right now -- Utah Republican senator tea -- -- my reasoning.
Right now senator.
What's happened to the Tea Party.
Well look this movement this conservative grassroots movement that started in 2009 is alive and well.
And we've that more people join our ranks this time around what this election.
It's going to continue to keep growing it will keep growing as long as those who were elected.
Under this mindset that continues to core principles and continue to save the government's big enough.
And that we don't have a revenue problem we have a spending problem in Washington.
Now I don't hear it out of all the leaders and and then maybe you know you're certainly closes and all -- mate but.
Judging from some appointments already being made in the house.
From this a reading -- -- riot act or speaker Boehner to Republican troops including many Tea Party is the message was.
You know get in line -- on -- -- -- And that may be true but look it's hard to read too much into those statements and it's hard to come to.
Firm definite conclusions right now as to what those mean.
Meanwhile those who have those of us who or elections due this movement who understand their constituents expect us to hold government spending.
And to prevent the inexorable growth.
Taxation.
-- -- stay true to our principles and need to remember why we can't.
Yeah well that's it some of the -- you've got -- -- can understand maybe some disappointed at Tea Party.
Senate candidates -- -- -- seem to grab defeat from the jaws it would look like victory I can understand frustration on the part of some Republicans and that.
But they forget that it was the Tea Party -- brought so many -- power.
And in the house provided.
You know eighty some odd.
You know restless.
Revolutionaries.
Who took over the place some wondering -- some tea parties are chafing at the.
Well -- -- first of all but we have to remember -- that we've had.
Three US senators elected this year under the Republican Party all three of them can be.
Closely identified with the Tea Party movement.
And yeah we we suffered some losses this year but importantly.
Those people who lost who were expected to win loss after they deviated from this basic message which is that the federal government's too big it's too expensive and it's tax.
Can you give him very good point do you think senator that.
When the Tea Party started -- in not Tea Party officially -- so many disparate groups but when some of those candidates here -- the socialists.
That the tea party's message got blurred however you deal on some of these socialist that it got blurred and continues.
The message certainly got blurred now that's not to say that.
Tea Party people don't care about social issues -- Tea Party I do care about some social issues but the point is that the major thrust of this movement.
Is to focus on the fact that the federal government still -- it's too expensive it's taking too much of our money.
And throwing more money and it raising taxes isn't going to help but it's going to make matters a lot -- -- you're no budge on any issue of revenues including.
Closing credits and loopholes -- Look look at it -- the term revenues is a loaded term it if the question is MI in favor of raising taxes in -- in favor.
Looking at this as a revenue problem rather than a spending problem absolutely not.
But there -- a lot of ways that we can look to solve this problem.
And I'm certainly in favor of extending all of the current tax rates while we undertake an effort to reform the tax code comprehensively.
You know the president seemed.
QV is unequivocal as an.
On this issue of what kind of revenues TV -- and be seen -- say it's gotta be rate hikes and another words.
-- the the top two rates back to what they -- During Bill Clinton's time.
And that EI CE said that you know when it comes to shaving deductions and allowances you could raise nearly amount of revenue so it did seem to -- -- starter.
It's important to remember -- -- that since the election.
He has not said once that he will veto any thing.
That doesn't involve a rate hike.
For the top taxpayers in deep down.
He knows what is likely original unaudited said that it did Jay Carney was saying that he would veto anything which went.
Without a hike on the 250 -- over.
That is Jay Carney may have -- that I haven't heard the president personal assistance the election.
Maybe -- splitting hairs I don't know but we have to remember that if we do that if we raise rates even on just that the top rate payers.
We're going to kill 700000.
Jobs according to Ernst and young.
And those will not be CEO tells -- -- not know top 1% idols have been eliminated at its -- -- but I think he.
It's gonna -- -- -- he feels maybe Democrats -- cocky and and self assured they're gonna go full throttle witness and come hell or high water and a the fact that -- might go.
Full throttle on that come hell or high water doesn't mean we should succumb.
It certainly doesn't mean that we should surrender before the battle is even.
Fully begun so.
I I -- on sticking to these principles I I am confident that there.
Ways that we can compromise we can find common ground to help us avoid the fiscal cliff.
But the way to -- the fiscal -- is not the surrender and simply raise taxes when we know that's only going to make matters worse and it's going to make matters worse.
For the poorest among us.
Senator could see again thank you very much.
Thank you --
